— Seen online, posted by Børge A. Roum — What is wrong with this picture? The first thing I notice is the huge open space. Then the large number of people. In this pic there's a maximum of 10 people in cars, yet they get almost all the space, while the uncountable number of pedestrians are pushed out, up against the walls, just so they can live their lives without … [Read more...] about How space is allocated
Place & Infrastructure
LEPOCO seeks part-time staff person
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT — LEPOCO is looking to hire a new part-time staff person.…The November issue of the LEPOCO newsletter contained the following description of the staff position: "We are looking for someone with a commitment to nonviolence and to promoting LEPOCO's work for peace and justice. Enthusiasm for community building and for working collaboratively, are important. … [Read more...] about LEPOCO seeks part-time staff person
A few good reads for the week
Here are several articles that look at food, the pandemic, and other topics from a more holistic point of view than we usually see, showing the need for re-thinking in these areas. From the current issue of Yes! Magazine — the 'Community Power issue'. What’s in a Social Justice Diet?The Light at the EndWhat Indian Country Remembers About SurvivalWe Had … [Read more...] about A few good reads for the week
Peter’s blog: A Tale of Two Disasters — and U.S. Response
On 9-11-2001, terrorists (mostly Saudi) attacked the World Trade Center in New York, killing 2996 people. The US allowed Saudis to leave the US after the attack and has maintained good relations with Saudi Arabia — while pouring trillions of dollars into war on Afghanistan and the Iraq. Those wars killed least half a million people, with estimates ranging as high as 1.2 … [Read more...] about Peter’s blog: A Tale of Two Disasters — and U.S. Response
Peter’s blog: ‘What could we be learning from others?’
A recent article by Janice Lee ('What Humanity Can Learn From Plants'), raises this question. It's well worth reading! Lee asks why we value 'scientific' knowledge over all other ways of knowing and points out some other limitations of our ways, such as rendering non-human living beings as 'it', as if they were inanimate objects. She suggests we could learn a lot from trees … [Read more...] about Peter’s blog: ‘What could we be learning from others?’
Peter’s blog: ‘Development can be sustainable — or destructive’
Some municipalities require impact assessments for proposed projects, but they often are inadequate or focus primarily on economic considerations. An integrated and comprehensive sustainability impact assessment is essential to understanding the range of inter-related impacts a project will have on climate change, community, health, environment, and economy. This summer, a … [Read more...] about Peter’s blog: ‘Development can be sustainable — or destructive’
Acknowledging the original inhabitants of this area
We are located in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, a small part of what was Lenni-Lenape territory for over 10,000 years. We understand that the Lenape were friendly and accommodating — until the settlers gradually, and often violently, forced them out. We acknowledge the injustice and mistreatment indigenous people faced (and still face) as a result of colonialism. We recognize … [Read more...] about Acknowledging the original inhabitants of this area
Peter’s blog
Thoughts and observations by Peter Crownfield, one of the founding members of the Alliance. … [Read more...] about Peter’s blog
Joris Rosse: ‘The Great Green Revolution Number Three’
Only once in a lifetime can we hope for such perfect news! I am an 84 year old environmental activist. 2½ years ago I suffered a moderately severe stroke that left me with some deficits. Yet, I persevere… I am a founding member of the 11 year old Alliance for Sustainable Communities, Lehigh Valley, PA. Among the usual ten or so members on the steering committee, I am the … [Read more...] about Joris Rosse: ‘The Great Green Revolution Number Three’
‘April’, by Sarah Mantz
In 1994, this poem by Sarah Mantz, then a sophomore at Salisbury High School, was selected as a winner in an Earth Day writing contest sponsored by the Lehigh County Office of Solid Waste Management. (Her winning poem was also published in Echoes Magazine.) Her poem seems to fit not only this month, but the ecosystem-threatening times in which we live: April I am the fourth … [Read more...] about ‘April’, by Sarah Mantz